The new agreement includes the establishment of an artillery manufacturing facility and joint missile development, strengthening military ties post-Brexit

In a significant move to bolster military collaboration, the UK and Germany are set to sign what is being termed a “landmark defence agreement” designed to enhance security, stimulate investment, and create jobs. This agreement marks a pivotal moment in post-Brexit relations as both nations strive to strengthen ties with key European allies.

The new treaty will see German defence giant Rheinmetall establishing a factory in the UK dedicated to producing barrels for artillery guns, a capability the UK has not developed in over a decade. This facility is projected to support approximately 400 jobs and will utilise British steel sourced from Sheffield Forgemasters, a steelmaker recently acquired by the UK government. The first production of artillery gun barrels is anticipated to commence by 2027.

In addition to the manufacturing agreement, the treaty includes plans for collaborative development of a new long-range missile system and drones, aimed at enhancing both nations’ military capabilities. These projects will potentially enable the UK and Germany to create munitions that are more precise and capable of engaging targets at greater distances than current systems, including the UK’s Storm Shadow and Germany’s Taurus missiles.

The agreement also outlines that German P-8 maritime surveillance aircraft will regularly conduct patrols over the North Atlantic from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland. This initiative aligns with ongoing efforts by NATO allies to secure European airspace amid heightened security concerns following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

UK Defence Secretary John Healey hailed the treaty as a “milestone moment” for both countries, emphasising that it brings their militaries and defence industries closer together. “This agreement will enhance our operational effectiveness and help us confront common security challenges,” he stated. The UK and Germany are already the largest defence spenders in Europe and have been significant military supporters of Ukraine during its ongoing conflict.

This agreement comes in the wake of Labour’s previous commitments to strengthen military relations with Germany while in opposition, reflecting a broader strategy by the current government to reset relations with European allies. The UK previously established a defence pact with France through the Lancaster House Treaty in 2010, but this new agreement marks its first with Germany.

THE INDEPENDENT

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has made significant strides in his vision for a Brexit reset, unveiling a landmark defence agreement with Germany. This pact, established less than four months into his leadership, will see the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) operate from a British base to bolster North Atlantic security amid escalating threats from Russia. The agreement is expected to generate approximately 400 jobs through a new munitions factory in the UK.

Defence Secretary John Healey described the deal as a “milestone moment” in UK-German relations, marking a substantial enhancement of European security. However, there are calls for Starmer to broaden this cooperation to encompass additional areas of UK-EU relations, addressing a range of shared challenges.

Former Armed Forces Minister Sir Nick Harvey welcomed the agreement, highlighting its importance for Britain’s defence and industrial landscape. He urged the government to expand its efforts to strengthen ties with the EU further.

Reports earlier in the year suggested that Germany was open to a comprehensive “mega deal” in response to Starmer’s proposed security pact, covering diverse topics such as agricultural regulations and student exchanges. Germany’s ambassador to the UK, Miguel Berger, indicated that the focus would be on “security and cooperation” while exploring areas of common interest.

Naomi Smith, CEO of the pro-EU campaign group Best for Britain, emphasized the pact’s importance in countering Russian aggression and fostering formal cooperation with European allies. As Starmer works to mend the UK’s relationship with the EU, this defence agreement signals a promising step toward future collaboration.

SKY NEWS

As part of a groundbreaking defence agreement, German warplanes equipped to track Russian submarines will begin operations off the Scottish coast next year. This pivotal pact, set to be formalised on Wednesday by Defence Secretary John Healey and his German counterpart, marks a significant step in military collaboration between London and Berlin.

The agreement also includes the establishment of an artillery gun barrel factory in the UK by a German defence firm, projected to create over 400 jobs. This factory will be the first of its kind built in Britain in a decade, addressing the critical need for expanded production capabilities highlighted by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly three years ago.

Described as a “milestone,” the pact signifies a deeper military partnership between the UK and Germany. Additionally, both nations will collaborate on developing new long-range missiles that promise greater precision and distance than the existing UK-French Storm Shadow cruise missiles. This cooperative effort underscores a renewed commitment to bolstering European security in response to growing geopolitical tensions.